Greetings my dear Friends,
FLICKERFEST SHORT FILM FESTIVAL is at Avoca Theatre this weekend! With an opening night party on Friday 3rd Feb with Best of Australian Shorts for $20 and on Saturday 4th Feb, Short Laughs at 7pm followed by Best of International Shorts 2 at 9pm; $15 each or double feature package for just $25. Festival Package includes all three films and the Opening Night Party – just $40.  Check out the web for more details on the films – like Fish & Chips about 10 yr old Pauline Hansen or The Last Norwegian Troll about three young goats who decide to get rid of the last surviving troll in Norway. Always a great night out – and here just once a year!

The Spanish THE SKIN I LIVE IN, based on a novel by French writer Thierry Jonquet, begins this week. Ever since his wife was burned in a car crash, an eminent plastic surgeon (Antonio Banderas) has been interested in creating a new skin with which he could have saved her. After twelve years he manages to cultivate a skin that is a real shield. Director “Almodóvar at his brilliant melodramatic best. In tantalising and hypnotic style, he weaves the elements of this complex tale like a surreal painting. It's one well worth viewing." (Urbancinefile)

After a big house on Sunday for the French comedy WOMEN ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, it now begins in earnest.  It’s a delicious upstairs downstairs comedy with barbs, twists and turns that will have you laughing when in 1960s Paris, a conservative couple's lives are turned upside down by two Spanish maids.  ‘It’s a boulevard comedy par excellence, a well-made film secure in its assumptions.’ (Playback) ‘A marvelously entertaining romantic comedy with a heartfelt political message packaged in 1960's Paris.’ (Monsters and critics) ‘Delightful’ (Avoca Theatre patrons).

So many of you have asked when our outdoor ALFRESCO GARDEN CINEMA will return...good news!  Given good weather, we will be screening that all round Aussie feel good film RED DOG on Friday 10th and Sat 11th Feb. Starts at 8:30pm, for just our every day low standard ticket prices.  We have the chairs, the wine and the best beachside outdoor screen on the Coast…come along!

In one extraordinary new work, lovers of Baroque opera have it all: the world’s best singers, glorious music of the Baroque masters, and a story drawn from Shakespeare. In THE ENCHANTED ISLAND, the lovers from A Midsummer Night’s Dream are shipwrecked on the other-worldly island of The Tempest. Inspired by the musical pastiches and masques of the 18th century, the work showcases arias and ensembles by Handel, Vivaldi, Rameau, and others.   An all-star cast with David Daniels, Joyce DiDonato & Plácido Domingo. This opera is in English, a synopsis is available. Saturday 11th & Monday 13th Feb, both at 11:30am.    Adults $25, Conc $23.

Valentine’s Day celebrates love – let’s celebrate together!  With bubbly in hand be serenaded by the magical Phil Davidson, recognised as one of Australia’s brightest songwriters with his collection of exquisite love songs and gentle Irish, magical lilt.  The film is one of my favourites - ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, filled with songs that make me happy!  Every woman also receives a gift.  A wonderful night celebrating love. Tues 14th Feb at 7:30pm, $18.50 for a drop of magic.

Exciting news on the live music front.  THE JUGALUG STRINGBAND, who headline jazz festivals all over Australia, is coming to Avoca in February.  The JUGALUG STRINGBAND play a repertoire of music based on the styles and jug bands of the 1920's and 30's. It’s entertaining, engaging and swings like crazy playing predominantly resonator instruments dating back to the early part of the 20th century including National guitars, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, washboard and double bass.  Come along for a great night of unique music.  Friday 17th Feb at 7.30pm. Just $28.

Phil Grabsky’s LEONARDO LIVE is an exclusive cinematic event which gives you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the stunning exhibition 'Leonardo da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan', captured from the National Gallery, London. Bringing together the largest ever number of da Vinci's work, including a new, never-before-seen painting, LEONARDO LIVE is presented by internationally acclaimed art historians and broadcasters Tim Marlow and Mariella Frostrup, with interviews from experts.  The historic exhibition is sold out in London and, due to the fragility of the paintings, will not tour.  Sat 18th & Mon 20th Feb at 11:30am.  Ad: $20, Conc: $18, Child $11:50

This ITALIAN NIGHT has EVEN MORE with Italian morsels & drinks before author, composer and musician Diana Santamaria  (THE SECRET OF THE PEBBLES book and CD) captures the magical & haunting spirit of the Filicudi & Aeolian Islands performing on our grand piano with mandolin and accordian.  The film BASILICATA – COAST TO COAST is, very aptly, about musicians travelling across the untouched region of Basilicata in this engaging movie with heart from Papaleo, known for his comic genius; a lyrical, subtle and loving tribute to a little-known part of Italy, punctuated by a wonderful soundtrack of jazzy songs.  Friday 24th Feb at 7:30pm, just $23.50.

It’s GLENN MILLER’S BIRTHDAY – and we’re celebrating – BIG!  THE BIG BAND THEORY is an incredible 18 piece Big Band who will set the tempo and the toes tapping before we settle back and watch THE GLENN MILLER STORY, which also features legends Frances Langford, Gene Krupa, and Louis Armstrong and others.  Friday 2nd March at 7.30pm, $19.50 with wine on arrival.

The celebrated London filmmaker PHIL GRABSKY is returning to Avoca Theatre with two new films – both very fine.  THE BOY MIR is a very personal look into a young boy’s life in Afghanistan – it’s intriguing winning 11 Awards.  You’d remember Phil’s fascinating & informative films IN SEARCH OF MOZART & IN SEARCH OF BEETHOVEN, he now gives us IN SEARCH OF HAYDN which we have been fortunate to see and were mesmerised.  Phil will be here on Thursday 9th March – THE BOY MIR at 4:30pm (standard tickets) and at 7pm with a string quartet playing Haydn before Phil introduces the film & takes a Q & A afterwards, just $18.50.

Our live piano concert with DAVID HELFGOTT and YANTRA de VILDER is booking up FAST!David will be playing Liszt, Rachmaninov and Beethoven as well as an improvised duet with Yantra, who will be performing her own award winning pieces. Don’t delay, it will book out.  Saturday 11th  at 7.30pm and Sunday 12th at 2pm March.  Tickets range from $39 to $59 each.

• Thurs 2nd Feb – WOMEN ON THE SIXTH FLOOR begins
• Thurs 2nd Feb – THE SKIN I LIVE IN begins
• Fri 3rd  Feb– FLICKERFEST Opening Night Party Australian Shorts
• Sat 4th Feb – FLICKERFEST – Short Laughs and International 2 programmes
• Wed 8th & Thurs 9th Feb – FILM GROUPS begins, both at 10 am
• Thurs 9th Feb – THE DESCENDANTS begins
• Sat 11th & Mon 13th Feb - New York Met Opera – THE ENCHANTED ISLAND
• Tue 14th Feb – VALENTINE’S DAY SHOW with Phil Davidson & ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
• Fri 17th Feb – JUGALUG STRINGBAND
• Sat 18th and Mon 20th – Phil Grabsky’s LEONARDO LIVE
• Fri 24th Feb – ITALIAN NIGHT with BASILICATA :COAST TO COAST
• Fri 2nd March – Glenn Miller’s Birthday Party with The Big Band Theory.
• Thurs 9th March – PHIL GRABSKY here for THE BOY MIR & IN SEARCH OF HAYDN
• Sat 10th and Sun 11th March – DAVID HELFGOTT & YANTRA de VILDER live performance

Our Coasties Film Festival is screening Sunday 25th March and we want YOUR film.  If you make short films, music video clips, animations, claymations or other creative pieces suitable for the big screen, enter them into COASTIES.  New section this year – seniors!  If you’d like to enter SENIORS but don’t have a camera, we will lend you ours!  What could be simpler?  But be quick - entries close 16th March.  More details on our website…check it out!

See you very soon, at the Theatre,
Beth